What is the Difference Between White Vinegar and Apple Cider Vinegar?

What is White Vinegar?

White vinegar is a clear vinegar that is made from fermenting distilled alcohol. The process of fermentation involves oxygen being combined with chemicals that reduce the content of an atom in the substance. The sour taste of the vinegar is often produced when the components undergo chemical changes during the oxidation or fermentation process.

Another way of making white vinegar is by combining water with acetic acid. The vinegar produced is very sour and is generally preferred for cleaning and disinfecting purposes.

What is Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar is another type of vinegar produced by fermenting apple cider. The yeast and bacteria are responsible for breaking down the sugar of the apple cider and making them into alcohol and later into vinegar. Like other vinegars, apple cider is mainly composed of acetic acid, with small amounts of lactic acid, malic acid and citric acids. It is said that there are many health benefits one can gain from drinking apple cider vinegars, although its taste is not very desirable.

What is the Difference Between White Vinegar and Apple Cider Vinegar?

The difference between white vinegar and apple cider vinegar generally lies in their purpose of use.

• White vinegar is mostly made for cleaning purposes because of its disinfectant properties.

• White vinegar can be added to water and be utilized as a douch for women with vaginitis. It may also be used to sooth sunburns and cure athlete’s foot. When mixed with warm water, it may also be used to remove warts.

• Some individuals also use white vinegar in combination with water to clean windows, floors, baby bottles, and coffee makers. It is also said to be a good stain remover as well as an odor remover.

• White vinegar may also be incorporated in boiling water to sterilize tubings or inhalers.

• Apple cider vinegar is mainly used for its health benefits in people with diabetes, alkaline-acid imbalance, dandruff, high blood cholesterol levels, acid reflux, acne, and high blood pressure.

• Those who are obese and want to lose weight also utilize apple cider vinegar as a weight-loss ingredient.

• Another important difference is the effect of the vinegars on its user. Apple cider vinegar can be an irritant and may cause allergic reactions while the white vinegar has no such effects.

• There are some safety concerns when using the apple cider vinegar. The vinegar, be it in pill or liquid form, can cause damage to the digestive tract, especially when the apple cider vinegar is used in its undiluted form. If sipped, the apple cider vinegar can damage the enamel of the teeth. Excessive intake of the vinegar can also cause hypokalemia or low blood potassium levels. It can also cause burning and scarring in the skin that comes in contact with it.

WiseGEEK: What is White Vinegar?

WebMD: Apple Cider Vinegar